Spring is approaching, and this ushers in the traditional season of love: wedding season. Despite the struggling economy, couples who are tying the knot want to celebrate their wedding day with family and loved ones, so the key is to trim costs without compromising the celebration.

My advice is to find cheaper options, and especially not drown yourself in debt, for your wedding day. Through Monday, David's Bridal on Walton Way Extension is offering customers $50 to $300 off every bridal gown, including new arrivals and designer collections. Customers can get 10 percent off their veil, headpiece, bra and slip on the day of their gown purchase.

Here are some tips I've compiled on holding a cost-conscious wedding:

1. Have the reception on a Friday or Sunday instead of Saturday. Couples can pick a date outside of the spring or fall wedding seasons. Renting a tent, tables and chairs to use in a park or for a backyard wedding can sometimes be cost-effective, although catering costs also need to be factored in.

2. Reduce the guest list to close relatives and friends. One strategy is to establish an age threshold that limits the number of children attending.

3. Consider a reception that features only cocktails and hors d'oeuvres or a buffet rather than a full-course dinner.

4. Ask vendors if they can discount their rates or trim their package offerings. Photographers, for example, might be willing to work for less if they can use your photos to market their work. Bakeries can create a small cake for the cutting ceremony and then use sheet cakes to serve guests.

5. Consider substituting recorded music played on an iPod or similar device for a disc jockey or live music. A friend or wedding party member can serve as the master of ceremonies during moments such as the first dance.

6. Ask friends and family to pitch in where possible. A stylist friend might be happy to do the bride's hair as her gift.

7. Work with other couples who are also getting married to split the costs of items that can be used several times, or ask vendors for multibooking or referral rates.

8. Try do-it-yourself projects for items such as centerpieces and other decor, favors and invitations.

For more deals and information on local vendors, check out today's Your Life section. Each week, the Bridal Showcase lists businesses that can assist couples with their wedding plans.

COUPON OF THE WEEK: Today's editions of The Augusta Chronicle have $80.20 in coupon savings. In the Red Plum coupon book, you'll find a $5 off coupon for O'Charley's restaurant. For a $20 minimum food purchase, customers will save $5. Limit one coupon per party, per visit. Expires March 22.

RECAP

If you missed The Pinch last week, here are some highlights:

BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE: There's no better deal than getting two for the price of one. Publix and Food Lion have dozens of grocery items on sale for buy one, get one free this week. The sales end on Tuesday.

PUBLIX : Sale items include Hungry Man dinners, Juicy Juice products, Green Giant canned vegetables, Wish-Bone dressing, Earth's Best organic baby food and Huggies baby bath products. The weekly sales ad also has coupons for $3 off both Huggies diapers and Enfamil powder formula.

FOOD LION : Shoppers can find Doritos, Kellogg's cereal, Food Lion chicken breast halves or tenders, Cottonelle or Scott Bath Tissue, Marie Callender's and Healthy Choice dinners, and Arm & Hammer liquid detergent on sale. Customers need to present their MVP card to receive the savings.

Reach LaTina Emerson at (706) 823-3227 or latina.emerson@augustachronicle.com.

Read LaTina Emerson's blog on saving money and shopping smarter in Augusta at blogs.augusta.com.